We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 16 February 2017 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Mydentist – Harrison Street – Barnoldswick offers a full range of dental treatments including preventative and corrective treatments for NHS children and adult patients with private treatment available. The practice is based in Barnoldswick in Lancashire. The staff consists of three dentists, two dental hygienist/ therapists, four dental nurses (one of which is a trainee), a receptionist/dental nurse and a cleaner.

The practice is in a converted building. There are two treatment rooms, decontamination room, office and a waiting/ reception area. Parking is available next to the practice. The opening hours are Monday – Friday 8am-7pm, with Saturday opening 9am-2pm.

The practice manager is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

Our key findings were:

• The premises were visibly clean and tidy.
• The practice had procedures in place to record and analyse significant events and incidents.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, and knew the process to follow to raise concerns.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to deal with medical emergencies and emergency medicines and equipment available.
• Patients’ needs were assessed, and care and treatment were delivered, in accordance with current legislation, standards, and guidance.
• Patients received information about their care, proposed treatment, costs, benefits, and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Staff were supported to deliver effective care, and opportunities for training and learning were available.
• Patients were treated with kindness, dignity, and respect.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients, and emergency appointments were available.
• Services were planned and delivered to meet the needs of patients, and reasonable adjustments were made to enable patients to receive their care and treatment.
• The practice gathered the views of patients and staff and took their views into account.
• Staff were supervised, felt involved, and worked as a team.

We spoke with five people who used the service. All the people we spoke with were happy with the care and treatment they received at the dental practice. One person told us "It’s a good all round practice”. A comment from a recent patient survey was "Best dental practice we have had".

People spoken with told us they were always able to get appointments to suit their needs and received reminders to let them know when they needed to make an appointment. This meant people received treatment in a timely manner.

People told us they felt safe when visiting the practice. One person told us “I am happy with my treatment and would recommend this dentist to other people”.

On the day of the visit we found the practice to be safe, clean and well maintained. People told us the practice seemed clean whenever they visited.

Staff told us they felt well supported and we found they had the necessary skills and training to undertake their role in a safe and appropriate manner.